Eric Grasberger Quoted on Steps Contractors May Need to Take to Hire, Retain Employees

In a recent article, Eric Grasberger shared his thoughts with Construction Dive on what contractors may need to do over and above monetary reimbursement to hire and retain employees in the current tight job market.

The construction industry has long faced difficulties in finding workers, and the current inflationary economic climate is likely to intensify workforce shortages, according to an AGC report, which notes that 69% of contractors expect to need more workers in 2023. Construction companies, which have always had to pay workers a premium to work in sometimes difficult conditions, are now competing for employees with Amazon and other distributors, as well as with employers that can offer remote work.

According to veteran construction attorney Grasberger, the chair of Stoel Rives’ construction and design group: “Contractors may need to promise full-time employment rather than contract work and offer higher per-diems for workers who travel to jobsites.” Grasberger noted also that contractors are increasingly asking project owners for “contingency funds they can tap or price-adjustment clauses to cover higher labor costs.”

Read the full article here.